Saving the Good, the Bad--And the Ugly [Slide Show]

A hyena might not be as adorable as a tiger cub or dolphin, but a few champions of nature's endangered ugly underdogs say the hideous are just as worthy of protection as the huggable

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HELMETED HORNBILL

A prize for hunters, the exotic-looking helmeted hornbill ( Rhinoplax vigil ) has also been under siege by a rapid loss of forests in its native Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. Its numbers are dwindling, and it is currently listed as near-threatened . ....[
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HELMETED HORNBILL

A prize for hunters, the exotic-looking helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) has also been under siege by a rapid loss of forests in its native Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. Its numbers are dwindling, and it is currently listed as near-threatened.

AYE-AYES ONLY FOR YOU

The aye-aye ( Daubentonia madagascariensis ) is a near threatened nocturnal lemur from Madagascar. Although its range extends through much of the eastern forests of this Indian Ocean island nation, the animals appear to be few and far between (giving it a near-threatened status).....[
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AYE-AYES ONLY FOR YOU

The aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) is a near threatened nocturnal lemur from Madagascar. Although its range extends through much of the eastern forests of this Indian Ocean island nation, the animals appear to be few and far between (giving it a near-threatened status). The aye-aye's adaptations for nighttime living—big eyes and ears—have also earned it the status of an ill omen for locals, who continue to dispatch the animals as pests. For its residence, it also happens to like many of the same trees that humans do, which means that many a potential aye-aye home has been chopped down.

HUMORLESS HYENA

Fewer than 8,000 of these scavengers still traipse across southern Africa. The brown hyena ( Hyaena brunnea ) prefers arid scrub and savanna but can exist near human developments—that is, if humans allow it.....[
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HUMORLESS HYENA

Fewer than 8,000 of these scavengers still traipse across southern Africa. The brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea) prefers arid scrub and savanna but can exist near human developments—that is, if humans allow it. The hyena, seen as a generic predator and nuisance, is often still killed outside of protected areas. The population of this near-threatened species is in the decline.

THE UNUSUAL UAKARI

Swinging from trees in western Brazil and eastern Peru, this rare red-faced monkey is becoming an increasingly uncommon sight. The uakari ( Cacajao calvus ) has several subspecies, many of which live in distinct ranges along Amazonian rivers and swamps.....[
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THE UNUSUAL UAKARI

Swinging from trees in western Brazil and eastern Peru, this rare red-faced monkey is becoming an increasingly uncommon sight. The uakari (Cacajao calvus) has several subspecies, many of which live in distinct ranges along Amazonian rivers and swamps. Like many jungle dwellers, the vulnerable ukari is faced with habitat loss—as well as human hunters.

DIGGING FOR DUGONGS

The global population of the dugong, or sea cow (Dugong dugon) remains unknown. But the vulnerable marine mammal roams the coastal areas of nearly 50 countries the tropical areas of the eastern hemisphere, making its status difficult to track.....[
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DIGGING FOR DUGONGS

The global population of the dugong, or sea cow (Dugong dugon) remains unknown. But the vulnerablemarine mammal roams the coastal areas of nearly 50 countries the tropical areas of the eastern hemisphere, making its status difficult to track. A rare study off Australia's Queensland coast showed that common human threats to the species include agricultural runoff pollution, accidental nettings and food hunting.

WILD(LESS) DOGS

The African wild dog ( Lycaon pictus ) once roamed much of sub-Saharan Africa's deserts and mountains. But today the endangered pup, also known as the cape or painted hunting dog, is rarely spotted.....[
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WILD(LESS) DOGS

The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) once roamed much of sub-Saharan Africa's deserts and mountains. But today the endangered pup, also known as the cape or painted hunting dog, is rarely spotted. Unlike hyenas, these dogs are hunters and frequently target antelope that weigh 50 kilograms or more. Because their populations are now so fragmented (due largely to human development), estimates of their numbers are rough at best. But there are likely fewer than 6,000 of the dogs left in the wild.

PICKOFF A PECCARY

This endangered ungulate now lives in central South America with its shrinking habitat extending into Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. The bristly Chacoan peccary ( Catagonus wagneri ) was once common in Argentina's Chaco region , where they still run in herds of up to nine.....[
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PICKOFF A PECCARY

This endangered ungulate now lives in central South America with its shrinking habitat extending into Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. The bristly Chacoan peccary (Catagonus wagneri) was once common in Argentina's Chaco region, where they still run in herds of up to nine. Hunting and habitat loss have been the main contributors to this prickly porcine's decline.

CIRCLING DEATH

Not geographically limited by its name, the Egyptian vulture ( Neophron percnopterus ) has taken to the air in at least 45 countries, spanning three continents. But as an endangered species, it may not be soaring for long.....[
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CIRCLING DEATH

Not geographically limited by its name, the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) has taken to the air in at least 45 countries, spanning three continents. But as an endangered species, it may not be soaring for long. The population of these large, solitary birds (which can have a wingspan of 1.7 meters) has dropped at least 50 percent in Europe over the past three generations and has declined in Africa and Asia, as well.

FREAKY FROG

Coffee may be the death of these ancient amphibians , which likely evolved about 130 million years ago. Discovered in 2003, the Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (also called the purple burrowing frog) lives in a small mountainous area of southern India, where coffee, cinnamon and other crops have encroached on much of the endangered frog's traditional habitat.....[
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FREAKY FROG

Coffee may be the death of these ancient amphibians, which likely evolved about 130 million years ago. Discovered in 2003, the Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (also called the purple burrowing frog) lives in a small mountainous area of southern India, where coffee, cinnamon and other crops have encroached on much of the endangered frog's traditional habitat.

SCARCE SALAMANDER

This swimming salamander is critically endangered and is known to live only in a small area just south of Mexico City. Like many other amphibians, the axolotl ( Ambystoma mexicanum ) has vanished from a large part of its original habitat.....[
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SCARCE SALAMANDER

This swimming salamander is critically endangered and is known to live only in a small area just south of Mexico City. Like many other amphibians, the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) has vanished from a large part of its original habitat. Although recent surveys have turned up few specimens, they are still being caught by locals who harvest them for medicinal uses or to sell as pets. Invasive species and water pollution are also presumed threats to this small, 23-centimeter-long salamander.

Thanks to Nathan Yaussy for highlighting this one (and several that follow) on his blog.